Introduction

This is meant for two kinds of people. First, it is for newcomers who are interested in Episcopal worship, but can't figure out what we are doing half the time. It is also for "cradle Episcopalians" who have discovered that often during the worship service they have gone into "automatic pilot". You may have worshipped in an Episcopal church on or two times, or you could have attended for many years, but nobody ever really explained to you the deeper meaning of what we do.

Every church intends that its liturgical acts will have meaning for the worshipper. What does it mean that we read our prayers? What is a "collect"? What do the candles mean and which comes first, Epiphany or Lent? The more you know, the more meaning the activities and actions will have for you. Then perhaps the liturgy will begin to speak to you in a new and deeper way.

These pages contain discussion on twelve topics. Enter into each aspect of worship as it is brought to your attention. You may soon be unable to say, "I just didn't get anything out of the service today." You may decide instead that there are unexplained riches hidden within the framework of the liturgy, riches which reveal themselves at many levels, unfolding in new and vital ways which deepen your spirtual life

It is our hope that these pages will help you engage in the Episcopal Church and its worship with deeper meaning and spirtual blessing.